PLEA TO SAVE TYSON AND DIESEL FROM EUTHANASIA

Tyson (3 Yr. old) and Diesel (7 Mo. old) were unfairly removed from their home and loving family. They have never injured anyone or had any prior complaints, yet they were deemed vicious based on the opinion and prejudice of a police officer and the next door neighbor who stated to the owners when they moved in, that he hates Pit Bulls. The same neighbor who would hits the chain linked fence from his yard that divide’s the two properties with a rake and yell at them in attempt to scare the dogs. However, the neighbor has six small dogs and multiple cats of his own running around. In Highland Twp., there is no type of ban against Bit Bulls that would rationalize removing them from their loving home. On July 26th, 2012 the elderly next door neighbor called the Oakland County Sheriff’s Dept. claiming that two Pitt Bulls where in his yard and “nipped at his legs”, the neighbor stated that he waved them away with a watering can. When the Sheriff and Animal control deputies arrived the neighbor was outside. Tyson and Diesel where in their own yard and were barking, as any breed of dog would do to strangers approaching at 9:00 p.m. The animal control Deputy tried to snare them, but they kept their distance 6-7 feet away and were unable to catch them. Shortly after that the owner arrived home, unaware that either of his dogs was out of the fenced in back yard. Tyson was curled up in the corner of the neighbor’s yard shaking and scared. The owner picked Tyson up and put him in his house as directed by the deputy. Diesel was in the back yard, inside the fence so the owner walked through the house and put Diesel inside too. There is not a gate leading to the back yard so we are unsure how Diesel was still in there. It is believed that Tyson possibly jumped the fence by using a truck cap that was recently placed in the back yard. Diesel is still a puppy and much smaller than Tyson, so it is unlikely he did the same due to the distance between the cap and the fence. The owner was given a misdemeanor ticket for Possession of a Vicious/Dangerous Animal and told to appear in court. These loving so call "Vicious" dogs were permitted to reside in their owner’s possession for 10 days, without incident preceding the court hearing for the ticket. During that hearing on August 6th, 2012 both dogs were remanded by Judge Bondy to be turned over to Oakland County Animal Shelter within 24 hours, where they have been kept in small individual cages 24/7 for the last 17 days. It was never specified exactly what it was that determined they were vicious other than they barked at them. This is a heartbreaking tragedy for all that know and love these sweet dogs, that they may be condemned to death simply because of a misconception of their breed and from other careless pet owners who have caused them to be labeled as dangerous. Tyson and Diesel have spent countless hours interacting with children, cats and dogs of all sizes. They have never displayed aggressive behavior in any way. They are well trained, socialized, obedient and most of all gentle dogs. They love to play and swim at the beach where they have been in contact with various people including strangers without any problems. They are extremely well mannered dogs; their owner has trained them from puppy’s to allow anyone to take things from them. All the owners, family and friends want is their family members back, but they are in grave danger of being euthanized in the next week! With heavy hearts, we are begging for mercy for them!